Challenge Corner discussion

A fugitive princess with the power to control blood. A cunning conman with no past and no future. An Empire spiraling into darkness. A world worth saving.

The Cyrilian Empire: a glittering white sprawl of frozen tundras and ancient, snow-capped forests, where ice spirits roam beneath the flickering northern lights, and where slavers hunt Affinites -- those born with powers to manipulate elements.

Born with a horrifying Affinity to blood, Anastacya Mikhailov has never believed herself to be anything more than a monster. Her curse rings true when an accident in the dead of the night results in the death of her father, the Emperor of Cyrilia -- and she is sentenced for his murder.

But Ana knows what she saw that night: the scent of poison in Papa’s blood, and the face of a murderer vanishing into the dark.

Alone, hunted, and on the run, Ana makes a bargain with Ramson Quicktongue, a handsome yet dangerous underground crime lord: help her find the true murderer and clear her name in exchange for her alliance.

When Ana’s search lands her in the lair of the most powerful slave trader in the Empire, she uncovers a horrifying truth. A new monarch stands poised to lead the empire to a path of hatred and divisiveness, and Ana must stop her before Cyrilia falls to darkness. But first, she must come to terms with the monster she thinks she is and the heir she was destined to be.

In a world where the princess is the monster, oppression is blind to skin color, and good and evil exist in shades of gray... comes a dark Anastasia retelling that explores love, loss, fear, and divisiveness, and how ultimately it is our choices that define who we are.

14%: (view spoiler)[LOW-KEY, I am loving this so far. It's reminding me ToG a bit here and there but the whole magic /affinity thing is awesome. I'm also loving Ana and Ramson - he kind of reminds me of Flynn Rider from Tangled for some odd ass reason. (hide spoiler)]

54%: (view spoiler)[no, i'm not crying - you're crying. it's like rue all over again but may was saving ana and now i'm sad. (hide spoiler)]

82%: (view spoiler)[...and now all I hear is taylor swifts Bad Blood playing because I want Ana to straight up murder her aunt for plotting against her family/killing them all. OFF WITH HER HEAD! (hide spoiler)]

100%: (view spoiler)[JFELDSJFLJSALDFDAJ THAT ENDING. SO MUCH HAPPENED. FAMILY REUNIONS. MY SHIP REUNION. DEATH - SO MUCH FUCKING DEATH. ANA BEING A BAD ASS. HER AUNT PLOTTING SHIT LEFT AND RIGHT. LIKE HOLY FUCK. SEND HELP. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 14TH, 2024

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To 27%: I started this one this morning and it has been a delightful change of pace. I feel like we are still getting to know are mains, but they're now on their mission and I expect I am going to become attached to them very soon! Looking forward to more tomorrow!

To 34%: I'm not super, super invested in this yet, but I am enjoying learning about the world and the characters. My brain is all over the place right now, so maybe I need to focus more. LOL

To 51%: (view spoiler)[Pretty cute watching Ana and Ramson catching feelings for each other. Also, that scene at the Playhouse was nuts, but at least it looks like they're going to be successful getting May back and also may have new allies: the ice queen and yuri! (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "14%: [spoilers removed]"Awwwwww, I will totally see (view spoiler)[Ramson as Flynn now. Love him ❤️ (hide spoiler)]

To 54%: Wait!? (view spoiler)[May dies!?!? What the frick. All of that to have her killed the night they are reunited!? Dust and stars. (hide spoiler)]

To 75%: Wow, Ramson has (view spoiler)[really been through it. His Dad is such a dick! I hope he gets what's coming to him!!! (hide spoiler)]

To 89%: Ahhh, I get it. LOL -- not sure how I didn't put those pieces together until now. (view spoiler)[The missing princess, Anastasia. Very cool though. While this hasn't like knocked my socks off, I am enjoying it and def would love to continue with the series. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "82%: [spoilers removed]"

Amen to that!

Finished! This was great! I loved the magic system, as well as Ana and Ramson! I am definitely continuing on with the series!

I'm waiting on the first book to arrive from the library

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm waiting on the first book to arrive from the library"Oooo, I hope you enjoy it, Elizabeth!!! I'm looking forward to continuing with the series!